Birth Rites - Exploring the politics and practices of child birth.

Collection

The first of it's kind in the world, this innovative collection of contemporary art on the subject of childbirth has found it's begginings in the Birth Rites Exhibition. Formed out of the work produced for Birth Rites, the collection is currently housed in Salford Midwifery department at Salford University and the RCOG in London.

We are constantly looking to develop new works to become part of the collection and ways for the work to be used by everyone. Currently, Salford Midwifery department are using the works to inspire debate and conciousness in their student midwives.

For art works in collection please scroll down

If you are interested in using some of the work then please get in touch with Helen Knowles, curator, on

helen@birthrites.org.uk

The University of Salford Midwifery department are currently housing a selection of the Birth Rites Collection including paintings by Suzanne Holtom, photographic work by Hermione Wiltshire and ceramics by Ping Qiu. It is possible for the public to view them by appointment. If you wish to do so please contact:

Elaine Uppal

Lecturer, Directorate of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midiwfery,

Mary Seacole building, room 3.46, University of Salford,

Allerton Campus,

Frederick Rd,

Salford, Greater Manchester,

M6 6PU

E e.uppal@salford.ac.uk

T +44(0) 161 295 6436

To view a painting and a drawing series by Suzanne Holtom currently housed in the offices at the RCOG then please contact;

Marion Goonewardene

Secretary to Director of Corporate Affairs

Royal Collecge of Obstericians and Gynaecologists

27 Sussex Place

Regent's Park

London NE1 4RG

Tel +44(0)20 7772 6224

email : mgoonewardene@rcog.org.uk

Wallpaper installation of 'Birth' wallpaper. Designed by Francesca Granato in collaboration with Helen Knowles, Manchester Museum 2008. Birth Rites Collection. In 2006 Birth Rites commissioned designer Francesca Granato to create Birth Rites' signature pattern 'Birth'. The motifs which Francesca chose to use for the pattern were taken from lap dancers' calling cards; the aim was to challenge the perceived separation between women as mothers and women as sexual entities. As the figures are arranged in labouring and birthing postures the pattern also exposes the taboo which tries to conceal the undeniable link between sex and birth. The design was always intended to be used on wallpaper, a 'feminine' medium, thereby further mixing the domestic with the erotic.

‘Conception’ Wallpaper design of male and female genitalia to be included in Whitworth Art Gallery exhibition ‘Sexuality and Gender in Wallpaper’ 2010 and to be included in their permanent Collection. Birth Rites Collection.

Artist book ‘Cock’s Comb’ screen printed by Helen Knowles, bound by Helen Johnson and made in collaboration with teenage parents at Salford Women’s Centre. The book explored the teenage mothers language they used for the body and their experiences of childbirth by incorporating their drawings and writings, it also made reference to ‘The midwives Book’ written by Jane Sharpe in 1734, the first English midwifery text written by a woman.

Detail of artist book ‘Cock’s Comb’ screen printed by Helen Knowles, bound by Helen Johnson and made in collaboration with teenage parents at Salford Women’s Centre.